Police have arrested a 15-year-old who may have known about it before the stabbing took place but are still looking for the main individual in the stabbing attack. A report from police translated to English stated: "A witness who was injured in the attack stated that the unknown suspect was 'known from Solingen' and that he was also a visitor to a local mosque. A witness reported that the suspect shouted 'Allahu Akbar' during his actions."
The Daily Mail reported that the Islamic State group wrote in a statement, "The perpetrator of the attack on a gathering of Christians in the city of Solingen in Germany yesterday was a soldier of the Islamic State." The ISIS "soldier" was taking "revenge" for Muslims in the Palestinian territories and elsewhere in the world.
The perpetrator, who was running from the police as of Saturday morning, fatally stabbed three people in Fronhof central square on Aug. 23. On Saturday, senior public prosecutor Markus Caspers told reporters, “Given the overall circumstances, we assume that the initial suspicion of a terrorist-motivated act cannot be ruled out," per German outlet Welt.
Local media reported that witnesses said that the 15-year-old in custody was seen speaking to the attacker before the stabbing rampage took place. The main suspect reportedly said, “I’m going to stab everyone.” It was confirmed by police that the attacks were targeted at victims’ throats and necks as the ISIS “soldier” went on the stabbing rampage.
The stabbing occurred during Solingen’s “diversity festival” that was celebrating the city’s 650-year anniversary.
Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz posted online, translated to English: "The attack in Solingen is a terrible event that has shocked me greatly. An attacker has brutally killed several people. I have just spoken to Solingen's mayor, Tim Kurzbach. We mourn the victims and stand by their families."
